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6 Jul 2025 10:46
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  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Emeli Sandé tried to straighten her hair as a young girl because she "hadn't really seen anyone who looked like her on television"

    The 'Clown' hitmaker is glad to see the Black Lives Matter movement has encouraged more conversation on racism, as she remembers wishing she looked different as a child and had less curls


    She said: "I wish I could go back to that girl at 13 or 14 and tell her your natural beauty is great. I was always straightening my hair, taking the curls out with relaxer. Looking back, that's so sad. Relaxer has strong chemicals, but I was trying to be different because I hadn't really seen anyone who looked like me on television. The message of Black Lives Matter is wonderful.

    "Everyone wants to learn. There needs to be a [re-evaluation] of what children are taught at school. Whenever I heard about black people in history, it was that 400 years ago we were slaves. But so many stories are not told: positive messaging of black people's contributions throughout history - especially within the UK. These things shouldn't be left to the parents to teach."

    And the 33-year-old singer struggled to "understand" racist comments at a young age, but now realises the pain it caused her mom.

    Speaking to The Sunday Times magazine, she added: "I hadn't realised the pain my mum felt seeing us exposed to racism at such a young age. When I was about four years old there was a school fair.

    "We had our faces painted and an older lady said, 'Oh, I didn't know butterflies could be brown.' I remember mum had heard it and I hadn't properly understood because we were too young. I think it was really disturbing for her - she saw the reality of racism more than we did at that age."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

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     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Kylie Jenner has taken a huge step in her relationship with Timothée Chalamet - by following him on Instagram 10:36

    Accident and Emergency:
    A homicide investigation is underway following the death of a baby found with critical injuries at a Foxton Beach House 10:27

    Rugby:
    New All Blacks lock Fabian Holland is relishing being a winner on test debut 10:27

    International:
    The Dalai Lama marks his 90th birthday with celebrations and an answer on Tibetan Buddhism's future 10:07

    Athletics:
    Shot putter Maddi Wesche has thrown over 20 metres for the first time in competition at the Diamond League meet in Oregon 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Lizzo felt "very paranoid and isolated" and like she "could die" amid facing sexual harassment lawsuits from her former backing dancers 10:06

    Entertainment:
    Kanye West's Australian visa has been cancelled over his "offensive comments" 9:36

    Entertainment:
    Simone Ashley used to be too "afraid" to leave her house for fear of being recognised, after Bridgerton catapulted her to global fame 9:06

    Netball:
    Silver Ferns defender Parris Mason has been hospitalised as a precaution after suffering a neck injury in the Central Pulse's 65-44 ANZ Premiership victory over the Stars in Wellington 8:57

    Entertainment:
    John Cena absolutely loves fish and chips and a Full English Breakfast 8:36


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